I love the scope of Sweetwater’s Donut Mill’s operation: It’s open 24/7 and always has a large supply of quality doughnuts. We saw people arriving buying doughnuts early in the morning, and it keeps going all night with the college crowd. On the morning we visited, a woman was carrying out nine dozen doughnuts for an incentive at her business. Even Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell stopped by to help us eat doughnuts. “They do such great work here; we’re so proud of what they’re doing here,” Hopewell said.

Must-have items: The Chocolate Cloud, one of the store’s top sellers, has a vanilla cream in the middle that blends well with yeast doughnut. And the Boston Cream doughnut with a Bavarian custard. Oh, and even though I did not sample the apple fritter, it was the size of my head.

Gonzo also gave a nice nod to the other Kalamazoo finalist, MacKenzies' Bakery:

Styled after a European bakery (with bread and pastries cooked in different rooms for temperature reasons), owners and third-generation bakers, John and Mary MacKenzie, make doughnuts for bread lovers. Great ingredients, and lots of love. I was a big fan of the homemade custard in their long johns.

What do you think of Gonzo's Top 13? Let us know in the comment section below.